AAA Mid-Atlantic: NJ gas prices down slightly

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Motorists are seeing slightly lower prices at the pumps in New Jersey.

AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the state on Friday was $3.38, down a penny from last week. That’s also lower than the price from a year ago, when motorists were paying $3.53.

The price drop ends a four-week stretch where pump prices had risen in New Jersey.

The national average price was $3.51, up 3 cents from last week. But that’s much lower than the national average from a year ago, when motorists were paying $3.70.

Analysts say the national average price has been rising due to ongoing seasonal maintenance at refineries and concerns over crude oil prices, which could be affected by simmering tensions in the Ukraine.